Somerville says farewell to beloved police officer Louis Remigio

Monday

Oct 16, 2017 at 4:00 PMOct 16, 2017 at 6:18 PM

By Katie Bowler / kbowler@wickedlocal.com

Hundreds of police officers, family, friends and community members mourned the loss of Somerville police officer Louis Remigio on Friday morning, Oct. 13. They lined Warner Street in Medford, just outside of Saint Clement Church for his funeral, waving American flags and silently remembering the fallen officer.

“He left an impact so deep that fulfilling his absence will take a lifetime,” said his daughter Danielle Remigio during the funeral mass. “He lives in the memory of everyone.”

Remigio died last week after a motorcycle accident on Interstate 95 in New Hampshire. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was met by his family, some traveling from Canada. And during that time, they said, the community showed them more support and love than they’ve ever seen before.

Remigio, 55, was a 30-year veteran with the Somerville Police Department. He was a decorated and dedicated officer. He was a father of two, Danielle and Alexandra. He was the only brother among three sisters. He was a cousin, an uncle, a son.

“I have never met a greater human being,” said his cousin Dan Remigio at the funeral. “When he spoke with you, you had him. He gave you all of his attention. He made you feel so validated, so important.”

The Vermont police escorted his cousin Dan Remigio and his family to the hospital from the border, and Remigio’s nurse switched her shifts around so she was able to say with him. Even in Somerville, the Neighborhood Restaurant, one of Remigio’s favorite breakfast spots, laid out his favorite dish and renamed it after him, remembered Dan.

“The beautiful gestures from all of you wonderful people...lay the basis for this family’s healing,” said Remigio. “[The family was] overwhelmed with this tremendous sense of compassion and love and I just wanted to look everybody in the eye and hold them.”

The family said they will never be able to repay the New England officers who stood by them during this difficult time, he continued, and that’s something they will always remember.

When Remigio needed it, his fellow officers were there for him, like he had always been there for him, filling the pews in St. Clement Church in Medford, waiting outside for family and friends, honoring the fallen officer’s service for the City of Somerville and beyond.

“He was the epitome of what it means to be a man, a role model, a leader,” said his nieces and nephews.

His family calls him a hero, and his community remembers him as such. He embodied community. He embodied strength. He embodied Somerville.

“We will never be without the spirit and energy of him around us...what does it mean to save a life? What does it mean to be a hero?” said Danielle Remigio. Just look at Lou Remigio and I think we’ll all understand.”